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Paper Talk: Arsenal eye Spanish midfielder; Zlatan ponders future

Date published: Saturday 25th February 2017 5:30

Arsenal will send scouts to watch two Napoli players this weekend, while they have been watching a young Spain midfielder for several months and Manchester United star Zlatan Ibrahimovic has yet to sign up to a new contract, according to Saturday’s papers.

GUNNERS SCOUTING MALAGA STAR

Arsenal are monitoring Malaga midfielder Pablo Fornals, according to a source in Spain.

The 21-year-old, who has been capped by Spain, is being tracked by Arsene Wenger, report Marca.

The youngster has scored four times and provided two assists in 20 league and cup appearances this campaign and the Gunners are understood to have been scouting him for several months.

“It’s believed Arsenal are not the only team keeping tabs on Fornals, but the Premier League side are reportedly lining up a deal to sign him next summer,” states the report.

Fornals has a contract with Malaga until June 2019, but he is believed to have a buy-out clause of around £8.5million and £10millon, which will not put Arsenal off.

ZLATAN ‘PONDERING’ UNITED FUTURE

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has yet to extend his contract at Manchester United over fears they will not qualify for rhe Champions League.

The 35-year-old Swede “is reluctant to go a second season without playing in the world’s most prestigious club competition”, according to The Mirror.

Ibrahimovic joined United last summer from PSG on an initial 12-month deal with the option of a second season because he felt their absence from the Champions League would be temporary.

But sixth-placed United, who have missed out on the Champions League in two of the last three seasons, are facing a struggle to get back in at the top table.

And with suggestions that next season maybe Zlatan’s last in Europe, before he departs, most probably for a swansong in the MLS, United’s top scorer wants to go out with a bang.

AND THE REST

Leicester players met the club’s owners four times to get manager Claudio Ranieri sacked. (Sun)

Leicester chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha told the director of another Premier League club that he had sacked Ranieri – then bought £500,000 worth of wine, according to West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady. (Sun)

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says Ranieri’s departure is as “strange” as the Brexit vote and Donald Trump being elected US president. (Daily Express)

Arsenal have warned forward Alexis Sanchez and midfielder Mesut Ozil, both 28, they will not bow to their contract demands despite having cash reserves of more than £100m. (Daily Mail)

Saints manager Claude Puel says it is good news for his side that United attacking midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan, 28, will miss Sunday’s EFL Cup final. (Daily Star)

Everton boss Ronald Koeman hopes former club Southampton lose the EFL Cup final on Sunday to Manchester United in order help the Goodison Park club’s hopes of qualifying for the Europa League. (Guardian)

The Gunners could finally sign long-time target Alexandre Lacazette as the 25-year-old forward looks set to leave Lyon this summer, but Atletico Madrid are also interested. (Metro)

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has criticised senior figures at City Hall and Haringey council over the funding of their new £750m stadium.(London Evening Standard)

Crystal Palace manager Sam Allardyce has demanded his players start listening to him and stick to his game plan. (Daily Mirror)

Marseille defender Patrice Evra, 35, has revealed he tried to return to Manchester United but a member of the Red Devils’ staff stopped the deal. (Bein Sports)

Premier League managers are in favour of bringing in retrospective bans for diving. (Times)

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp thinks 24-year-old striker Danny Ings, who was ruled out for up to nine months in November 2016 with a knee injury, could return in pre-season. (Daily Express)

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has told his Premier League leaders to stay focused after recalling losing the title with Juventus as a player when the side were nine points clear with eight games to go. (Guardian)